Electric striking-clock.



No. 788,704. PATENTED MAY 2, 1905. I U. L. COLLINS.

ELECTRIC STRIKING CLOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 23, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WW :9 WM 4? w A No. 788,704. PATENTED MAY 2, 1905. U. L. COLLINS.

ELECTRIC STRIKING CLOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 23. 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

$1 512 fags No. 788,704. PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

U. L. COLLINS.

ELECTRIC STRIKING CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1904.

5 SHEETSBHEET 3.

-PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

U. L. COLLINS. ELECTRIC STRIKING CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 23. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 6- IN VENT WW 1% 1 y WM My/ 4 %TNESSES 7 {14am 210R Patented May 2, 1905.

'UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

ULYSSES L. COLLINS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO COLLINS ELECTRIC CLOCK COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORA- TION OF MISSOURI.

ELECTRIC STRlKlNG-CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 788,704, dated May 2, 1905.

Application filed February 23, 1904. Serial Ito-194,893.

To all whm'n/ it TH/CLZ/ concern:

Be it known that I, ULYssus L. CoLLINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Striking-Clocks, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to electric strikingclocks; and it consists of the novel features herein shown, described, and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the clock-frame and striking mechanism. all the other clockwork being omitted except the main shaft, said view being taken looking in the direction of the arrow 1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side elevation looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation lookingin the direction indicated by the arrow 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 41 is a sectional elevation on the line 4t 1 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 5 is a top plan view. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow, parts being broken away to economize space. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail on the line 7 7 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the winding of the electron'iagnet which operates the striking mechanism. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail perspective of the circuit-clos ing spring and its mountings. Fig. 11 is a sectional detail longitudinally of the main shaft. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section looking downwardly and showing the circuit-closerlocking arm in plan. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic View of the electric circuit. Fig. 14 is afront elevation analogous to Fig. 1 and showing the movable parts in different positions.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the clock-frame comprises the front plate 10 and the rear plate 11, secured together in vertical upright positions by the upper crosspieces 12, inserted between the upper ends of said plates, and the screws 13, inserted through the plates into the cross-pieces; the lower cross-piece 14, placed between the lower ends of the plates 10 and 11 and the screws 15 inserted through the plates into the cross-piece 14; the brace 16, placed between the lower ends of the plates 10 and 11 and having upturned ends through which screws 17 are inserted and screw-seated in said plates 10 and 11. The magnet-supporting brackets 18 are formed integral with the rear plate 11, and the striking-electromagnets 19 are secured to the magnet-supporting brackets 18 by screws 20, inserted through said brackets and screwseated in the frame of the magnets. The core 21 projects through the su morting-brackets 18 considerably farther than the core 22. The core 21 is wound. in one direction and the winding attached to the core, and the core 22 is wound in the opposite direction and the winding attached to the core, the points of attachment being at the ends of the cores adjacent the armature, and the circuit passes from the coils through the supporting-brackets 18. The armature-supporting shaft 23 is mounted in the front and rear plates 10 and 11 at their lower left-hand corners, and the armature 24Fv is rigidly mounted upon this shaft, so that when the magnets are energized the armature swings against the supymrtingbrackets 18.

Near the upper end of the armature 24: is a core-socket 25, adapted to receive the extended end of the core 21, and an armature-cushion 26 is placed in the bottom of this socket to receive the concussion and prevent noise. The armature-spring 27 is wound upon the spool 28, said spool being mounted upon the armature-supporting shaft 2?) between the armature and the rear plate 11, one end of said spring being connected to the plate 11 and the other end of the spring being connected to the armature and the tension of said spring being exerted to pull the armature away from the magnetcores. A block of insulation 29 is secured to the inner face of the rear plate 11, and the circuit-closer blades 30 are secured.

to the inner face of this block of insulation and extend laterally, the opening between said blades being at their outer ends and vertical. The circuit-closer-supporting arms 31 extend laterally from the front and rear plates 10 and 11, and the cireuit-eloser-supporting shaft 32 is mounted in said arms 31. A hub 33 is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 32, and the circuit-closer movable blade 34 extends downwardly from the hub 33 to engage between the blades when the circuit is to be closed.

The circuit-closer-locking arm 35 extends laterally from the hub 33 and carries a tooth 36 upon its free end. The locking-dog 37 is pivotally mounted upon a stud 38, extending forwardly from the plate 11, said lockingdog occupying a substantially vertical position in front of the supporting-brackets 18, said brackets serving as a stop to limit the motion of said dog in one direction and said dog being adapted to swing under the free end of the locking-arm 35 when the movable blade 34 is between the blades 30, thus locking the circuit-closer in its closed position.

A leaf-spring 39 is rigidly attached to the locking-dog 37 near its upper end, said spring extending downwardly a considerable distance and the free end of said spring engaging outside of the pin 40, the tension of said spring being exerted to throw the locking-dog 37 into operative position. A second lockingdog 41 is pivotally mounted upon the stud 42, extending forwardly from the plate 11, there being a shoulder 43 at the lower end of said locking-dog 41 to engage the tooth 36, carried by the locking-arm 35, so as to hold the movable blade 34 out of engagement with the blades 30. The locking-dog finger 44 extends downwardly from the locking-dog some distance below the shoulder 43, and an operatingarm 45 extends laterally from the armature 24 between the upper end of the locking-dog 37 and the finger 44, so that when the magnet is energized and the armature operated this operating-arm 45 engages the upper end of the locking-dog 37 and overcomes the tension of the spring 39, moving said dog out of engagement with the locking-arm 35, so that when the armature moves away from the magnet by the tension of the spring 27 the stud 45 will engage the finger 44 and move the shoulder 43 out of engagement with the tooth 36. By this means the circuit-closer is alternately locked open and then looked closed. A leafspring 46 connects the locking-dog 41 to the post 47, extending forwardly from the plate 11, the tension of said spring being exerted to throw the locking-dog into operative position against the stop-pin 48, said stop-pin limiting the motion of said locking-dog under the tension of the spring. The circuitclosing spring 49 extends horizontally from the shaft 32, and its opposite end engages the stop-pin 50, projecting backwardly from the plate 10. the tension of said spring being exerted to throw the movable blade 34 into contact with the blades 30 and close the circuit. The circuit-opening spring 51 extends upwardly from the hub 33, and the circuit-opening arm 52 extends from the armature 24 upwardly and hooks around outside of the upper end of the spring 51, so that when the armature is attracted to the magnet said arm 52 will engage the spring 51, the tension of said spring being greater than the tension of the spring 49, thus snapping the blade 34 out of contact with the blades 30 and opening the circuit.

The armature-locking dog 53 is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 32 and has a lockingshoulder 54 in position to engage the upper end of the armature and lock the armature against the supporting-brackets 18 after the armature has been attracted by the magnets, and said locking-dog has a stop-shoulder 55 to limit the swing of the armature away from the magnet. The armature-unlocking arm 56 extends downwardly from the armature-locking dog 53.

The circuit passes through the wire 57 to the magnet and then to the frame and then through the frame to the blade 34, and the wire 58 leads from the blades 30, so that when the blade 34 is in contact with the blades 30 the circuit is closed and when the blade 34 is out of contact with the blades 30 the circuit is open. The speed-regulating arm 59 is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 23 beside the armature and carries a segmental gear 60 upon its free end. The balance-wheel 61 is mounted upon the balance-wheel shaft 62, said shaft being journaled in the plates 10 and 11, and a spur-gear 63, mounted upon said shaft, meshes with the segmental gear 60, so that as the speed-regulating arm 59 vibrates the balancewheel is operated. The armature-locking-dogoperating arm 64 extends backwardly from the regulating-arm 59 into position to form a stop to be engaged by the arn'iature when the armature swings away from the magnet and extends outwardly around the lower end of the armature-unlocking arm 56, so when the arm 59 swings toward the magnet the arm 64 engages the arm 56, elevates the armatureloeking dog 53 and unlocks the armature 24. The speed-regulator-controlling arm 65 is rigidly attached to the lower end of the arm 59 and extends horizontally forward through the notch 66 in the front plate 10 and then upwardly in front of said plate, the upper end 67 being bent forwardly. A coil-spring 68 is mounted upon the shaft 23, one end of said spring being attached to the shaft and the other end of said spring being attached to the lower ends of the arms 59 and 65, the tension of said spring being exerted to swing the upper ends of said arms toward the magnet.

The striking mechanism is operated from the clock mechanism by a train of gearing comprising the gear 69, mounted upon the main shaft 70, the gear 71, mounted upon a IIO counter-sh aft in mesh with the gear 69, and the gear 72, mounted upon a sleeve 7 3 upon the shaft and meshing with the spur-gear 74, carried by the gear 71, said gears 69, 71, 72, and 7 1 being so proportioned that twelve revolutions of the gear 69 will drive the gear 72 one revolution. The lever 75 is pivotally mounted upon the stud 76, projecting forwardly from the front plate 10. one end of said lever being in position to swing into and out of engagement with the upper end 67 of the arm 65 and the other end of said lever being adjacent to the face of the gear 69. A spring 77, attached to the frame. engages the lever 75 to hold said lever normally out of engagement with the arm 65. A lever 78 is pivotally and loosely mounted upon the stud 79, projecting forwardly from the front plate 10, and the counterbalancing-weight 80 extends laterally from said lever, the force of said weight being exerted to throw the upper end of the lever to the right. A segmental plate 81 at the upper end of the lever 78 has ratchet-teeth 82 on its periphery, and a similar plate 83 upon the lower end of the lever has ratchet-teeth 84 upon its periphery, said teeth 82 and 84 being inclined in opposite directions, the teeth 82 being inclined in the direction of the force of the weight 80 and the teeth 84: being inclined in the opposite direction. The pawl-lever 85 is loosely mounted upon the stud 76 beside the lever 75, one end of said lever being in position to swing into and out of engagement with the upper end 67 of the arm 65, there being a counterbalancing-weight 86 upon the opposite end of said lever anda pawl 87 to engage the teeth 82 of the lever 78. A stop-arm 88 extends from the lever 75 over the lever 85 to limit the motion of said lever under the influence of the weight 86.

The pawl 89 is carried by the lever 90, and said lever is pivotally mounted upon a stud 91, projecting forwardly from the arm 65, said pawl 89 being in position to engage the teeth 84. A spring 92 connects the lever to the arm 65, the tension of said spring being exerted to hold the pawl 89 in engagement with the teeth 84:. The pawl-operating arm 93 extends from the lever 90 and engages the stop-pin 94:, extending forwardly from the plate 10, so that when the arm 65 swings to the left the arm 93 engages the stop-pin 9 1, thus overcoming the tension of the spring 92 and throwing the pawl 89 out of engagement with the teeth 84. The gear 69 is rigidly secured to the sleeve 95, said sleeve being mounted upon the shaft 70 and operating by frictional engagement with said shaft and the forward end of said sleeve being squared to receive the minute-hand of the clock. The sleeve 73 carries the hour-hand of the clock. The leveroperating pin 96 extends backwardly from the face of the gear 69 in position to engage the free end of the lever 75, and said pin is located relative to the shaft 70 so that when the gear is rotated and the pin engages the lever 75 the engaged end of the lever will be elevated, thus swinging the opposite end of the lever downwardly in front of the upper end 67 of the arm 65, thereby elevating the pawl 87 until it passes over the shoulder 97 at the forward end of the segmental plate 81. The paw187 is normally in engagement with the end face 98 of the segmental plate 81, and when said pawl is elevated by the action of the pin 96 it will pass over the shoulder 97. The counterbalancingweight 80 will swing the lever 78 and bring the first tooth 82 into engagement with said pawl 87. A second lever-operating pin 99 extends from the gear 69 diametrically opposite the pin 96, the distance of said pin 99 from the shaft 70 being such that when said pin 99 engages the lever 75 the pawl 87 will be elevated high enough to clear the points of the teeth 82.

The step-wheel 100 is fixed upon the sleeve 73 in front of the gear 72, the periphery of said wheel being divided into twelve steps 101, the first step being at the outer limits of the wheel, the next step slightly inside of the first, and so on, and the step-controlled arm 102 is rigidly fixed to the lever 78, the outer end being turned baekwardly to form a tooth 103 to engage the steps 101. Assuming that the sleeves 78 and 95 are arranged to show twelve oclock, then the tooth 103 will be in contact with the first step 101 of the stepwheel 100. A gong 10A is mounted in a convenient position, and a hammer 105 is mounted upon a spring-arm 106, connected to the shaft 23, said shaft being rigidly connected to the armature 24 by the pin 107 so that when the magnet is energized the armature snaps forwardly, thus throwing the hammer 105 against the gong 104.

hen the clock continues to operate and the minute-hand approaches the half-hour, the lever-operating pin 96 will engage the lever 75 and raise the pawl 87 out of engage ment with the end face 98 of the segmental plate 81. The counterbalancing-weight 80 will swing the lever 78 to bring the lirst ratchet-tooth 82 into engagement with the pawl 87. Then as the lever-operating pin 96 passes out of engagement with the lever 75 the spring 77 will swing that end of the lover against'the main shaft 70, thus raising the opposite end of the lever out of engagement with the speed-regulator-eontrolling arm 65, allowing the upper end 67 of said speed-regulator-controlling arm 65 to pass between the levers 75 and 85, and the tension of the coilspring 68 will move the upper end of the speed-regulating arm 59 toward the magnet, the speed of this movement being regulated by the balance-wheel 61, and as the speedregulating arm 59 moves toward the magnet the armature-locking-dog-operating arm 64 will engage the armature-unlocking arm 56,

thus elevating the armature-locking dog 53 and releasing the armature. Then the ten sion of the armature-spring 27 will throw the armature backwardly against the stop-shoulder 55, the operating-arm 45, carried by the armature 24, engaging the locking-dog finger 44 to move the shoulder 43 out of engagement with the tooth 36, and then the tension of the circuit-closing spring 49 will throw the circuit-closer movable blade 34 into engagement with the circuit-closer blades 30, thus closing the circuit, energizing the magnet, and snapping the armature 24 forwardly, thus causing the hammer 105 to strike the gong 104. The gong will be sounded once at each half-hour. When the armature is attracted, the armature-locking dog 53 will lock the armature in its attracted position. The circuitopening arm 52 will engage the circuit-opening spring 51 and overcome the tension of the circuit-closing spring 49, snapping the circuit-closer movable blade 34 out of engagement with the circuit-closer blades 30, thus opening the circuit. The leaf-spring 46 will move the locking-dog finger 44 against the operating-arm 45, thus bringing the shoulder 43 into engagement with the tooth 36 and locking the circuit open.

As the clock continues to operate and the hour-hand approaches 1 the step-wheel 100 will be rotated until the tooth 103 is in position to engage the second step 101. Then the lever-operating pin 99 will engage the lever and raise the pawl 87 far enough to clear the points of the ratchet-teeth 82. The counterbalancing-weight will swing the lever 78 until the tooth 103 engages said second step 101 and the pawl 87 is in position to engage the second ratchet-tooth 82. Then as the lever 75 clears the lever-operating pin 99 the spring 77 will swing the lever 75 out of engagement with the upper end 67 of the speedregulator-controllingarm 65. Thecoil-spring 68 will move the speed-regulator-controlling arm 65 and the speed-regulating arm 59 toward the magnet. The armatu re-locking-dogoperating arm 64 will engage the armatureunlocking arm 56 and raise the armature-lockingdog 53, unlocking the armature. The tension of the armature-spring 27 will swing the armature away from the magnet, the armature engaging the armature-locking-dog-operating arm 64 and swinging the speed-regulating arms 59 and the speed-regulatorcontrolling arm 65 away from the magnet. The operating-arm 45 will engage the locking-dog finger 44 to move the shoulder 43 out of engagement with the tooth 36, and the circuit closing spring 49 will snap the circuit-closer movable blade 34 into contact with the circuit-closer blades 30 and close the circuit, the leaf-spring 39 swinging the locking-dog 37 under the end of the circuit-closer-locking arm 35, thus locking the circuit closed. The

magnet will be energized, the armature attracted, and the gong sounded.

hen the step-controlled arm 102 is in position to engage the first step 101, the operation of the lever-operating pin 99 will raise the pawl 87 away from the end face 98, and the counterbalancing-weight 80 will cause the lever 78 to tip, the pawl 87 passing over the shoulder 97. At this time the pawl 89 is in position to engage the last one of the ratchetteeth 84 upon the segmental plate 83, and the movement of the speed-regulator-controlling arm 65 will carry the pawl-operating arm 93 away from the stop-pin 94, and the tension 01'' the spring 92 will raise the pawl 89 into ongagement with said last tooth 84, and continued movement of the speed-regulator-controlling arm 65 will swing the lever 78 back to its normal position, and the pawl 87 will fall into place against the end face 98, and the gong will sound once, indicating the half-hon r.

There is a ratchet-tooth 84, corresponding to each of the ratchet-teeth 82, and when the lever-operating pin 96 passes the lcver7 the tooth 103 will engage the first step 101, and the pawl 87 will strike the first one of the ratchet-teeth 82, and the gong will be sounded to indicate one oclock. Then as the clock moves on to the next hour the tooth 103 will strike the second step 101, the pawl 87 will pass over the first ratchet-tooth 82 and engage the second tooth 82, and the pawl 89 will ongage the second from the last of the ratchetteeth 84. Then as the striking mechanism op erates the first stroke of the gong will move the ratchet-teeth 82 one notch, and the second stroke will move itto its normal position. The engagel'nent of the pawl 87 with the ratchet-teeth 82 and the pawl 89 with the ratchet-teeth 84 forms a step-by-step mechanism for counting the strokes of the gong.

hen the clock approaches the hour 01 twelve and the lever-operating pin 96 passes the lever 75, the tooth 103 will be in position to engage the last one of the steps 101, and the counterbalancing-weight 80 will swing the lever 78 until the pawl 87 is in position to engage the last one of the ratchet-teeth 82 and the pawl 89 is in position to engage the first one of the ratchet-teeth 84. Then as the striking mechanism operates the lever 78 will be moved one step at a time until the pawl 87 returns to its normal position.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the details of construction, such as substituting counterbalancing-weights for the springs and one well known mechanical equivalent for another, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 elai1n--- 1. In an electric striking-cloclgan armaturesupporting shaft rotatabl y mounted, an armature fixed upon the shaft, an electromagnet in position to operate the armature, a spring for moving the armature away from the magnet, a hammer rigidly attached to said shaft,a gong in position to be struck by the hammer when the armature is attracted, a speed-regulating arm pivotally mounted on said shaft, a spring connecting said arm to said shaft, the tension of said spring beingexerted to swing the arm toward the magnet, a rack upon the free end of said arm and a balance-wheel connected to said rack to regulate the speed, means of locking said regulating-arm against the tension of said spring, a suitable clock mechanism, and a connection with the clock mechanism, whereby said arm is unlocked.

2. In an electric striking-cloek,an armaturesupporting shaft, an armature fixed upon the shaft, an eleetromagnet in position to operate the armature, a spring for moving the armature away from the magnet, means of locking the armature against the magnet, a suitable clock mechanism, and a connection with the clock mechanism, whereby said armature is unlocked.

3. In an electric striking-clock, an armature pivotally mounted, circuit-closing mechanism connected to the armature, means of swinging the armature away from the magnet and means whereby the circuit is opened by the movement of the armature to the magnet and closed by the movement of the armature away from the magnet, means of locking the armature against the magnet thereby holding the circuit open, a suitable clock mechanism, and a connection with the clock mechanism for unlocking the armature.

I. In an electric striking-clock: an armaturesupporting shaft; an armature fixed upon the shaft; an eleetromagnet in position to operate the armature; a spring for moving the armature away from the magnet; an armaturelocking dog pivotally mounted in position to lock the armature against the magnet; a stopshoulder upon the locking-dog to limit the swing of the armature away from the magnet; a suitable clock mechanism; and a connection with the clock mechanism; substantially as specified.

5. In an electricstriking-clock: an armaturesupporting shaft; an armature fixed upon the shaft; an electromagnet in position to engage the armature; a spring for moving the armature away from the magnet; means of locking the armature against the magnet; a speedregulating arm pivotally mounted beside the armature; a segmental gear at the free end of the speed-regulating arm; a shaft mounted in the frame; a gear upon the shaft in mesh with the segmental gear; a balance-wheel upon the shaft; a spring connecting the speed-regulating arm to the armature-shaft; means whereby the armature is unlocked by the tension of said spring moving the speed-regulating arm; a suitable clock mechanism; and a connection with the clock mechanism; substantially as specified.

6. In an electricstriking-clock: an armaturesupporting shaft; an armature on the shaft; means of operating the armature; a gong; a hammer connected to the armature to strike the gong when the armature is attracted; a suitable clock mechanism; a stepped wheel operated by the clock mechanism; a stud extending from the frame; a lever pivotally mounted upon the stud; a segmental plate at the upper end of the lever and having ratchetteeth; a segmental plate at the lower end of the lever and having ratchet-teeth; said teeth being inclined in opposite directions; means connected to the armature and to said teeth for moving said lever one tooth at a time; a weight for overbalancing said lever; and a stop-controlled arm extending from said lever and engaging said stepped wheel; substantially as specified.

7. In an electric striking-clock: a suitable clock mechanism having a main shaft; a stepped wheel operated by the main shaft; a lever pivotally mounted; a stop-controlled arm fixed to the lever and engaging the steps of the wheel; ratchet-teeth upon each end of the lever; a gravity-pawl pivoted to the frame in position to engage the teeth of one end of the lever; a vibrating armature; and asecond pawl operated by the armature and engaging the teeth at the other end of the lever, so as to advance the lever step by step as the armature vibrates; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ULYSSES L. COLLINS.

Witness es:

ALFRED A. EIOKS; JOHN G. HIeDoN. 

